Chapter 36: The Inexplicable Ji Tu

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The Primordial Martial Academy was the highest-ranking martial arts institution in the Snowmoon Dynasty.

Joining the Primordial Martial Academy would not only bring honor to one’s family and ancestors; after receiving its training, one could enter the Snowmoon imperial court or become a disciple of the Sword Sect.

Among the younger generation of the Snowmoon Dynasty’s nine great city capitals, everyone aspired to join the Primordial Martial Academy.

In the Mu family’s main hall, all the senior members of the clan had gathered, their eyes fixed on the elegant figure standing in the center.

“I hear that Jiang Wuying will be one of the examiners this time. Mu Feng, you must be careful,” Mu Qingcheng said gravely.

“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing,” Mu Feng replied with a smile. He then looked toward the several younger members of the Mu family seated on either side.

“Mu Jie, why aren’t you taking the Primordial Martial Academy’s examination?”

At Mu Feng’s question, Mu Jie waved his hands with a smile.

“I’m still young. I’ll wait another two years. Brother Feng, go make a name for yourself first. That way, when I join later, I’ll have someone to rely on.”

“Good! I promise you, Brother Feng will make a name for himself. In two years, when you come to the Primordial Martial Academy, just give them my name. Absolutely no one will dare lay a finger on you.”

Mu Feng thumped his chest as he spoke.

Whether he was bragging or truly confident, everyone laughed heartily at the scene.

After bidding farewell to the others, Mu Feng turned around and prepared to return to pack his belongings.

Just as he stepped out of the hall, a figure hurried after him from behind.

“Mu Kuang?”

Seeing who it was, Mu Feng asked with a smile.

Facing Mu Feng, Mu Kuang looked somewhat embarrassed.

“Little Feng, what happened before was my fault.”

“I bought this pill with a year’s worth of pocket money. I hope it will be of some use to you.”

With that, Mu Kuang took a pill from his robes and handed it to Mu Feng.

It was a high-grade Blood and Qi Pill.

Although it was already useless to Mu Feng, he still accepted it. After all, the other man had taken the initiative to apologize and make amends. Mu Feng could not continue holding a grudge.

“Aren’t you taking the examination?”

“Me? I think I’ll pass. I’m twenty-eight this year. I would have no face competing with a bunch of youngsters barely in their twenties for a place. Even if I joined, I wouldn’t improve much. It’s better for me to remain with the family.”

Mu Kuang spoke with a hint of guilt.

“That’s fine too. Keep cultivating. Perhaps you’ll become the second person to enter the Profound Yellow Realm before the age of thirty.”

“If I leave, you’ll have to look after all those younger brothers and sisters.”

Although Mu Kuang had a fairly good chance of becoming the second such person, Mu Feng still encouraged him sincerely.

As for the first, that person was Mu Feng’s father—

a terrifying existence who had attained the Martial Crown of Yuanzhou before the age of forty.

“Good! Go without worry. I guarantee that I’ll protect the family with everything I have!”

Realizing that Mu Feng had forgiven him, Mu Kuang nodded emphatically.

Mu Feng smiled faintly and walked away.

After bidding farewell to Xiao Yutong and the others, Mu Feng boarded a carriage and set off for the Imperial Capital.

Watching his departing figure, Xiao Yutong looked somewhat despondent.

After this parting, who knew how long it would be before they saw one another again?

“Don’t worry, Young Madam. I heard that disciples of the Primordial Martial Academy are allowed to bring one family member with them. When the time comes, Young Master will surely take you there.”

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“That’s me. It looks like I won’t be able to serve Young Madam anymore.”

Xiaoyu could not help feeling dejected as well. She lowered her head and muttered under her breath.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take you in with me!”

At some point, Jia Zhuangxian had appeared beside the two of them.

“You? Give it up. Everyone who gets into the Primordial Martial Academy is a genius. What makes you think you’re anything special?”

“What do you mean, ‘what makes me special’? I’m still the number-one tough guy under Young Master. You…”

As the two began bickering, Xiao Yutong’s gloomy mood eased somewhat, and she could not help laughing.

After an unknown amount of time, Mu Feng’s carriage slowly entered the Imperial Capital.

Everything before his eyes filled him with wonder.

Countless towering buildings pierced the clouds. The bustling crowds along both sides of the streets and the martial artists coming and going filled Mu Feng’s eyes with astonishment.

Practitioners at the tenth level of Qi Condensation and those who had reached perfection in that realm were everywhere.

There were also plenty of people in the Spirit Ascension Realm.

Compared with Yuanzhou City, the Imperial Capital surpassed it by several levels in both the quality and number of martial artists.

“As expected of the Imperial Capital. It truly is on another level compared with the nine great city capitals,” Mu Feng exclaimed as he surveyed the crowds moving along both sides of the street.

“Tch. It’s only a tiny dynasty. What’s there to be surprised about? You really are ignorant.”

“You’re knowledgeable. You’re the most knowledgeable of all.”

Mu Feng rolled his eyes and directed the carriage toward the Primordial Martial Academy.

By the time he arrived, the examination registration site was already packed with people. Looking ahead, he could not even see the end of the crowd.

Just then, a carriage came rushing toward them.

Four magnificent horses pulled it, each one radiating powerful spiritual energy. Even their manes danced in the wind like flames.

Flame Horses!

The sight made everyone click their tongues in amazement.

Even Mu Feng was somewhat impressed.

A single Flame Horse was already a powerful beast no weaker than the Wolf King of the Snowmoon Mountains.

Yet this carriage was being pulled by four of them.

“They’re actually Flame Horses! They’re rare and precious spirit beasts with the bloodline of magical beasts. This family certainly knows how to make an entrance.”

“Look at the emblem. It’s the Ji family of Tanzhou City!”

“Tanzhou City?”

Then it was no wonder.

Tanzhou City was ranked first among the nine great city capitals and was second only to the Imperial Capital within the Snowmoon Dynasty.

As for the Ji family, it was known as the foremost clan in Tanzhou City.

At that moment, a young woman slowly stepped down from the carriage.

She wore a crimson robe, and every feature of her face was exquisite. The instant she appeared, she drew countless gazes.

“It’s Ji Tu. I didn’t expect even she would come for this examination.”

“She’s a genius at the peak of the Spirit Ascension Realm.”

“I heard she once rejected the Sword Sect’s invitation and insisted on joining the Primordial Martial Academy. Apparently, she’s doing it for someone.”

“Could it be the man she loves?”

“What kind of extraordinary man would be worthy of such a favored daughter of heaven?”

The sight of Ji Tu immediately set the crowd whispering.

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After all, a beautiful woman could attract endless attention wherever she went.

Mu Feng stood some distance away and watched Ji Tu. He recalled that they had once fought each other. Back then, before his cultivation had been crippled, he had defeated her in less than half an hour.

He still remembered the deeply dissatisfied look in her eyes after she had left.

He had never expected that, in just two years, she would have grown to such a level.

Just then, the crowd parted to make way.

A graceful young man holding a folding fan approached with measured steps, his eyes fixed intently on Ji Tu before him.

He made no attempt to conceal the ardor in his gaze.

“It’s Xuan Yuanting. Could Ji Tu have refused to join the Sword Sect because of him?”

“It’s possible! Xuan Yuanting is one of the favorites to win this examination. After all, he’s the son of a general. It’s hardly surprising that Ji Tu would take an interest in him.”

By then, Xuan Yuanting had reached Ji Tu.

“Miss Ji, it’s been a long time. Three months have passed since we last parted. I never expected to see you again today.”

“Oh.”

In the face of Xuan Yuanting’s enthusiasm, Ji Tu merely nodded lightly. She walked straight past him and continued toward the area behind him.

Her cold attitude left Xuan Yuanting frozen in place.

Even the surrounding spectators were taken aback.

Following Ji Tu’s path with their eyes, the crowd stared in astonishment.

“Who’s that kid? I don’t think I’ve seen him before.”

“Judging by his clothes, he doesn’t look like he’s from the Imperial Capital. Could he be someone from another city who came here for the examination?”

Mu Feng was equally bewildered.

Judging by the way Ji Tu was approaching, was she actually coming for him?

“Mu Feng, it’s been two years since we last met. I didn’t expect you to have changed so little. Have you come this time to join the Primordial Martial Academy?”

Ji Tu stopped, a smile appearing on her face as she asked the question.

In an instant, the surrounding crowd erupted.

“Mu Feng? Isn’t that the notorious good-for-nothing young master of Yuanzhou City?”

“Damn, so that’s who he is! I was wondering why he looked so familiar!”

Xuan Yuanting’s face turned livid with rage. The hand gripping his folding fan gradually tightened until blue veins stood out.

Even Mu Feng himself was caught off guard.

He and Ji Tu had never had much to do with each other. If anything, their relationship was far from friendly.

What was this woman thinking?

Ji Tu looked at Mu Feng with a radiant smile.

“Mu Feng, I’ve been waiting for this day for two years. Do you know that I rejected the Sword Sect’s invitation because of you?”

The instant her words fell, anger surfaced on the faces of everyone around them.

One after another, they turned hostile gazes upon Mu Feng.

“What has this good-for-nothing ever done to deserve Miss Ji’s favor?”

“I can’t believe she did it because of him! Did he drug her or something?”

Xuan Yuanting crushed the folding fan in his hand, consumed by fury. A towering blaze of rage had already erupted in his heart.

“Mu Feng, you’ve got some nerve! You dare compete with me for a woman?”

“I’d like to see just how capable you really are!”